Headrest for cosmetic use and the like



April 25, 1967 Filed June 8, 1965 A. LOWERY ETAL HEADREST FOR COSMETIC USE AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Andrew Lowery William T. Lowery ATTORNEY April 25, 1967 A. LOWERY ETAL HEADREST FOR COSMETIC USE AND THE LIKE 2 Sheet Filed June 8, 1965 I NVENTORS y fl? WW 2% W OL T T W /.A mm; MW AW United States Patent 3,315,282 EADREST FDR C(BSMETIC USE AND THE LIKE. Andrew Lowery, 4806 Revere Road, Parkwood, Durham, N.C. 27707, and William T. Lowery, 15-5ll1 Bypass, Chapel Hill, NC. 27514 Filed June 8, 1965, Ser. No. 462,232 7 Claims. (Cl. -338) The present invention relates to a headrest and, more particularly, to a headrest of an improved type for receiving the face of the user.

Numerous people sleep on their stomachs for reasons which include a natural preference, thoracic comfort and cosmetic beautification. Unless their heads can be positioned so that one cheek or the other lies against the mattress or pillow surface, this position is highly unsatisfactory, for the face would sink too far into the surface to allow adequate and normal breathing. It is obvious that a headrest adapted for receiving the face of the user must be comfortable thereto and permit the circulation of air for normal breathing. The prior art teaches various devices of this type but the art does not teach a homogeneous, sleep-inducing pillow being of a simple construction.

Therefore, a main object of this invention is to provide a headrest or pillow which has a comfortable face engaging portion and which allows the proper circulation of air.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a headrest which positions the head in a sleep-inducing position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cos metic pillow which permits women to sleep in a prone position on their stomachs without disturbing or damaging recently set hair.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a pillow which is adapted to receive the head of the user while lying in any prone position.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pillow which has the desired characteristics of resiliency for receiving the head of the user.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims and attached drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorial view of the first embodiment of the invention showing the pillow encased in a pillowcase and in a face-receiving position;

FIGURE 2 is a pictorial view of the bottom surface of the first embodiment showing the closure means for encasing the pillow in the pillowcase;

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the pillow having the pillowcase removed therefrom.

FIGURE 4 is a bottom view of the first embodiment with the pillowcase removed and showing the support structure for the air passage.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the first embodiment taken substantially along lines 55 of FIGURE 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow.

FIGURE 6 is an end view of the pillow with the pillowcase removed and showing the support means for the air passage.

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention and without a pillowcase.

FIGURE 8 is an end view of the second embodiment showing a person in contact therewith.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 99 of FIGURE 10 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of a relatively firm face and chin support which is employed by the second embodiment.

FIGURE 11 is an end view of the face support showing the flanges being integrally connected thereto.

FIGURE 12 is a side view of the face support.

FIGURE 13 is a longitudinal somewhat enlarged sectional view. of the second embodiment taken generally along the line 1313 shown in FIGURE 7.

In general, the first embodiment of this invention includes a rebonded polyurethane pillow which is substantially trapezoidal in cross section and has a planar base surface and a body receiving planar surface which is angularly inclined relative to the base surface. Among recent developments in fabrication of polyurethane products has been the fabrication of products in which the cellular construction is close in some areas and relatively open in other areas. Use is made of this form of polyurethane construction in the present invention in that the smaller end of the pillow is of a loose cellular nature which permits a relatively great degree of deflection whereas the thick portion of the pillow is of a close cellular nature and permits only a small degree of deflection. The closeness of the cellular construction increases proportionately with the thickening of the pillow so as to give the least amount of support where support is not needed and the maximum amount of support where support is needed which, in this case, would be to the forehead and the cheeks. Where the forehead contacts the pillow, the pillow should preferably be relatively firm and such firmness is uniquely provided by regulation of the cellular construction.

The pillow is provided with a central aperture which extends from the body receiving surface through the pillow to the base surface and which receives the nose and mouth portions of a persons face. This opening may be substantially rectangular or in the shape of an oval. The central aperture is partially defined by a sloping surface which is a continuation of the body receiving surface and which slopes away from the body receiving inclined surface toward the base surface. This slope is designed to receive the chin of the user in most any position thereby insuring maximum comfort. The central aperture has a width which is sufiicient to receive the nose portions of the face but not so wide as to allow the head to slide therein.

A cushion which has an inside geometrical arrangement corresponding to the upper periphery of the central aperture is permanently attached to the pillow on the body receiving surface and is of a loose cellular polyurethane construction so as to provide a soft resting place for the face. The cushion may or may not cover the chin receiving slope. Also, the cushion slopes inwardly toward the central aperture so as to provide a cradle for the face. The central aperture is extended through the thick portion of the pillow to the atmosphere surrounding the same thereby providing a passageway for air to enter the central aperture from the outside when the upper surface of the pillow is engaging the face of the user. The portion of the pillow above this passageway is provided with a support which contourly matches the passageway and which holds this upper section of the pillow in a relatively rigid position. A pillowcase may be employed both for comfort and sanitation purposes. It can be seen that this pillow is of a very inexpensive construction having relatively few parts but which performs the intended function with a maximum of comfort for the user.

The second embodiment of this invention is substantially like the first. The pillow is made from rebonded polyurethane and has a loose cellular construction at the thin portions thereof and close cellular construction at the thick portions thereof. The pillow has an oval central aperture for receiving the face which extends substantially through the same. A relatively rigid face support is mounted on the body receiving surface and has an open ing therein being an extension of the central aperture. The face support receives a protective padding which is of the same general shape which provides a soft resting place for the face. The central aperture is connected to the atmosphere by a passageway in which resides a substantially rigid tube. This construction provides adequate air supply for the user. While not shown a pillowcase may also be employed with the second embodiment.

In the drawings, the reference numeral represents the invention applied to a cosmetic headrest including a pillow and a pillowcase. The headrest may be of any foamy material; however, it has been found that rebonded polyurethane is particularly suited since as a material it can be formed with different firmness in different areas. The pillow 11 is shaped substantially like a trapezoid in cross section and includes a thin end 12 and a relatively thick end 13. In reference to this portion of the description it should again be noted that FIGURES 1 and 2 include a pillowcase whereas FIGURES 3, 4, 5 and 6 do not. The relatively firm texture of the thick end 13 is represented in FIGURES 5 and 13 by heavy shading whereas the less firm texture of the thin end 12 is represented in FIGURES 5 and 13 by lighter shading. The pillow 11 is provided with a central aperture 14 which extends from the inclined body receiving surface 15 to the base surface 16 and is of a width sufiicient to receive the nose and mouth portions of a person but not so wide as to allow the face of the person to slide therein. Aperture 14 is bounded on all sides by walls being substantially perpendicular to body receiving surface 15 with the exception of chin rest 17 which is comprised of a surface that slopes angularly away from the general inclination of surface 15 and which extends substantially to base surface 16. The proper circulation of air is maintained by connecting said aperture 14 with the atmosphere surrounding the pillow by means of a passageway 18. Passageway 18 extends through the thick end 13 of pillow 11. A rigid support 19 having the same general shape as passageway 18 is securely mounted in said passageway for preventing the same from collapsing when said pillow is in use. The width and height of said support and passageway can vary according to the size of the person using the same and the requirements of air needed. A face engaging horseshoe shaped cushion 20 is mounted on upper surface 15 above the thick end 13 and extends from one side of said chin receiving slope .around the periphery of central aperture 14 to the other side of the chin engaging slope 17. Cushion 20 slopes inwardly toward aperture 14 and is of a width sufficient to receive those portions of the face which contact the pillow with the exception of the chin, that portion being received by chin engaging slope 17. Cushion 20 is also made from rebonded polyurethane but is preferably of a uniform loose cellular construction so as to have a characteristically soft feeling. Headrest 10 which includes the pillow 11, the passageway support 18 and the face engaging cushion 20, is enclosed in a pillowcase 21 which is designed to contourly conform to the surface of headrest 10. Suitable snap fastener closure means 22 for the pillowcase 21 are located on the bottom side of headrest 10 so as not to interfere with the face engaging portions thereof. Overlapping flap portions 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 are formed as part of pillowcase 21 to facilitate closure of the pillowcase.

The second embodiment of this invention which is shown in FIGURES 8-13 is, in general, geometrically and functionally similar to the first embodiment. Pillow is made of any suitable material such as the rebonded polyurethane of the first embodiment. It also has a loose cellular construction at the thin portion 28 and a relatively thick cellular construction at the upper 'or thicker portion 29 of pillow 30. A central aperture 31, being elliptical in shape, is provided with inclined sides 32 which merge with the perpendicular sides 33. Perpendicular sides 33 extend downwardly to a shelf member 34 which is made integral therewith. A rigid face support member 35 which may be of any suitable material such as styrene plastic is geometrically arranged to be received by inclined sides 32 and is held firmly in place by means of an adhesive. Support member 35 is provided with a pair of upright support flanges 36, 37 which are made integral therewith and are adapted to seat on shelf member 34. Support member 35 also includes a chin portion 38 which is integral therewith and is provided with slits 39 which give flexibility to the pillow 30 and comfort to the user. A cushion member 40 which like cushion 20 is soft and of uniform firmness covers the portions of support member 35 which are exposed to the skin so as to prevent the irritation thereof. A circular chamber 42 connects the central aperture 31 with the front edge 43 of pillow 30. A rigid hollow tube 44 which may be of any substantially rigid material is mounted in chamber 42 to provide a means by which air may circulate within the central aperture 31 once the user has begun to breathe therein.

From the above it can be seen that this invention in both embodiments provides an inexpensive and simple device for supporting the head of a user when in a prone and face-down position. It can further be foreseen that the pillow may be manufactured in many shapes and sizes.

Having described the invention, what we claim is:

1. A headrest for cosmetic purposes and the like comprising an integral resilient pillow having a flat base surface and a fiat body receiving surface, said body receiving surface being inclined relative to said base surface to provide said pillow with increasing depth from the back to the front thereof, the firmness of said pillow increasing with the increasing depth thereof, said pillow having a nose and mouth receiving central aperture extending from said body receiving surface substantially through said pillow to said base surface, and a passageway connecting said central aperture with the atmosphere surrounding said pillow, said passageway being of a size sufficient to allow the proper circulation of air to a person lying prone and having his mouth and nose inserted in the upper portion of said aperture; and a substantially rigid support means residing in and contourly fitting said passageway, said support means providing said passageway with dimensional stability.

2. A headrest as claimed in claim 1 including a face engaging soft thin cushion of uniform firmness securely mounted on said body receiving surface and extending around a major portion of the periphery of said central aperture thereby providing in cooperation with said varying firmness portions of said pillow a cushioned relatively firm support for the forehead and less firm support for the chin portions of the user .of said headrest.

3. A headrest as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pillow is provided with a pillowcase cover means, said cover means being adapted to contourly encase said pillow including said cushion and said rigid support means and including closure means for securing said cover means in place on said pillow.

4. A headrest for cosmetic purposes and the like comprising a resilient pillow having a flat base surface and a flat body receiving surface, said body receiving surface being inclined relative to said base surface to provide said pillow with increasing depth from the back to the front thereof, the firmness of said pillow increasing with the increasing depth thereof, said pillow having a nose and mouth receiving central aperture defined by walls extending from said body receiving surface to said base surface and further defined by a chin engaging surface formed as a continuatoin of said body receiving surface and sloping away from said inclinedbody receiving sur face toward said base surface, said pillow further having a passageway connecting said central aperture with the atmosphere surrounding said pillow, said passageway being of a size sufficient to allow the proper circulation of air to a person lying prone and having his mouth and nose inserted in the upper portion of said aperture; a substantially rigid support means residing in and contourly fitting said passageway, said support means providing said passageway with dimensional stability; and a soft face engaging cushion securely mounted on said body receiving surface and peripherally conforming to the central aperture as defined by said Walls.

5. A cosmetic headrest comprising a resilient pillow having a fiat base surface and a flat body receiving surface, said body receiving surface being inclined relative to said base surface to provide said pillow with increasing depth from back to front, the firmness of said pillow increasing with the increasing depth thereof, said pillow having a nose and mouth receiving central aperture extending from said body receiving surface substantially through said pillow to said base surface and further having a passageway connecting said central aperture with the atmosphere surrounding said pillow, said passageway being of a size sufiicient to allow the proper circulation of air to a person lying prone and having his mouth and nose inserted in the upper portion of said aperture, a substantially rigid support means residing in and contounly fitting said passageway, said support means providing said passageway with dimensional stability; a substantially rigid face and chin support mounted on said body receiving surface and extending into said central aperture; and a face engaging soft thin cushion of uniform firmness conforming geometrically with said face and chin support and secured to the exposed surface thereof.

6. A cosmetic headrest comprising a resilient pillow having a flat base surface and a fiat body receiving surface, said body receiving surface being inclined relative to said base surface to provided said pillow with increasing depth from back to front, said pillow having an oval shaped nose and mouth receiving surface substantially through said pillow to said base surface, the portions of said central aperture adjacent said base surface forming a shelf, said pillow further having a passageway connecting said central aperture with the atmosphere surrounding said pillo'w, said pasageway being of a size sufiicient to allow the proper circulation of air to a person lying prone and having his mouth and nose inserted in the upper portion of said aperture; a substantially rigid support means residing in and contourly fitting said passageway, said support means providing said passageway with dimensional stability; an oval shaped relatively rigid chin and face support mounted on said body receiving surface and partially extending into said central aperture and having a pair of flanges housed in said central aperture and seated on said shelf; and a face engaging cushion mounted on the exposed surface of said face and chin support and contourly conforming therewith.

7. The cosmetic headrest of claim 6 wherein the firmness of said pillow increases proportionately with the thickness if said pillow.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,542,674 6/1925 Darling 5338 2,959,794 11/1960 Souleles 5-345 3,140,497 7/1964 Carswell 5338 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. ANDREW CALVERT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A HEADREST FOR COSMETIC PURPOSES AND THE LIKE COMPRISING AN INTEGRAL RESILIENT PILLOW HAVING A FLAT BASE SURFACE AND A FLAT BODY RECEIVING SURFACE, SAID BODY RECEIVING SURFACE BEING INCLINED RELATIVE TO SAID BASE SURFACE TO PROVIDE SAID PILLOW WITH INCREASING DEPTH FROM THE BACK TO THE FRONT THEREOF, THE FIRMNESS OF SAID PILLOW INCREASING WITH THE INCREASING DEPTH THEREOF, SAID PILLOW HAVING A NOSE AND MOUTH RECEIVING CENTRAL APERTURE EXTENDING FROM SAID BODY RECEIVING SURFACE SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGH SAID PILLOW TO SAID BASE SURFACE, AND A PASSAGEWAY CONNECTING SAID CENTRAL APERTURE WITH THE ATMOSPHERE SURROUNDING SAID PILLOW, SAID PASSAGEWAY BEING OF A SIZE SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW THE PROPER CIRCULATION OF AIR TO A PERSON LYING PRONE AND HAVING HIS MOUTH AND NOSE INSERTED IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID APERTURE; AND A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID SUPPORT MEANS RESIDING IN AND CONTOURLY FITTING SAID PASSAGEWAY, SAID SUPPORT MEANS PROVIDING SAID PASSAGEWAY WITH DIMENSIONAL STABILITY. 